🧵 With the news that TNT might lose the NBA, it’s time to share the story about Ernie Johnson and the @NBAonTNT halftime show he made for my Bar Mitzvah.

It began w my dad and ended w me being called a drug addict & ballhog (fair, tbh) in front of family & friends

(1/X) pic.twitter.com/xuW8wfRRw9

— Ben Kaplan (@bkaplan4) May 7, 2024

The screen turned on and, instead of seeing my baby pictures, I see the unmistakeable @NBAonTNT studio, with Ernie, George Karl, Kenny Smith & Peter Vecsey at the desk (sadly, this was pre-Chuck)

My 1st thought was, “Oh no, did I tape over my montage w a playoff game?!?”

(3/X)

— Ben Kaplan (@bkaplan4) May 7, 2024

To my dad’s shock, Ernie called back personally. The playoffs had just started, so the crew worked most nights. According to my dad, Ernie said, “We’re just sitting around the studio during games. We’ll whip something up.”

A week later, a VHS arrived at my dad’s office.

(5/X)

— Ben Kaplan (@bkaplan4) May 7, 2024

And here’s the second half. I still to this day have no idea how @PeterVecsey1 did this with a straight face. He knows he’s talking about a 13-yr-old on the biggest day of that kid’s life, with friends and family watching!

Incredible, incredible performance.

(7/X) pic.twitter.com/OduQqlz5gw

— Ben Kaplan (@bkaplan4) May 7, 2024